Opinions Welcome: Local group debates societal issues

STAMFORD -- The United States of America was built upon an open discourse of debate among educated individuals, but Stephen Bowling says that's changing.

Bowling is the director and moderator of the Prometheum, a Stamford-based philosophical organization for men that openly debates controversial societal issues the same way our forefathers did in the 18th century -- minus the fancy wigs.

"During the time of our founding fathers, people discussed important issues," said Bowling. "We've lost that."

A representative democracy needs citizens who discuss and evaluate issues and vote with an educated opinion, says Bowling, but political discussion has become prohibitive.

Based on the philosophy, "Democracy Demands Discussion, Discourse and Debate," 31 members of The Prometheum, along with invited guests, gather around a U-shaped table to openly debate matters of public interest.

Standing behind a four-foot podium, Bowling moderates these monthly meetings at the organization's new home at 300 Bedford St. The organization is completely self-funded, accepting donations from members and friends.

Bowling picks the evening's topics, which concern political, constitutional or societal issues. He then presents all sides of the issue and asks participants to give their opinions.

"With some of the more controversial issues, the debates get pretty heated," he said. "Nothing is taboo."

They've tackled molestation in the Catholic church and invited priests as guests. They've invited political figures to discuss corruption in Washington. And they've had members of the minority population come in to speak about matters related to race.

There are no titles, no preferences, no restraints, no repercussions and no victories, according to the bylaws. All debate seeks truth.

There are two things Bowling is especially proud of regarding his 17-year-old organization -- for one, people have changed their mind in the Prometheum after vehemently debating their side, and second, the organization has begun to branch out to include women and children in the discussions.

The Franklin Forum is based on the same premise as the Prometheum, but it's targeted to the high school age group.

It began four and a half years ago at The Academy of Information Technology & Engineering in Stamford as a way to get students involved in the process of democracy.

Christine Casey sits on the board of advisors to the Forum and was instrumental in bringing it into the schools.

"I find that the Franklin Forum teaches young people to learn to formulate and express their opinions in a conversational way," she said. "These are social skills that are seldom taught in school."

Casey, who founded two special education preschool programs in White Plains, N.Y. and helped found AITE, has encouraged troubled students to take part in the program.

The Franklin Forum recently completed its first meeting in Hawthorne, N.Y. at a school for kids with discipline problems.

"I wanted to see if it could fly with people who already have social difficulties," said Casey. The program was a tremendous success, she said.

The students heartily discussed the positive and negative influences of rap music on today's youth. The students went deep with their thoughts, she said. "The conversations were illuminating."

With a little funding, Casey hopes the Franklin Forum can continue expanding. "I would like to see this kind of program in all high schools," she said. It's especially beneficial to children with special needs because they often feel that their opinions don't matter, she said.

"Everyone should have an opinion and everyone's opinion should count," said Casey.